Exodus 35:15, commentary and pictures

Exodus 35:15 belongs to the record of the construction of the tabernacle and to the account of the freewill gifts brought for building it. Among the items prepared for the sanctuary it names the incense altar and its carrying poles, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, and the hanging curtain for the door at the entering in of the tabernacle. The tabernacle was built according to God's design. The skill, precision, and care required for its construction provide a pattern for work done in God's service.

It was supplied by the people's willing, voluntary freewill offerings, which included ornaments, jewelry, and other materials. That call for the tabernacle built in the wilderness was a special object calling for freewill offerings beyond systematic and regular donations such as tithes, sin-offerings, thank-offerings, and other dues. The people gave so willingly and in such abundance that the gifts exceeded what was needed, so Moses and the leaders announced there was more than enough and told them to stop bringing gifts. According to the amount bestowed is the amount required, so the larger the capital entrusted the more valuable the gift God requires to be returned to Him. This call from God upon the people for means to build the tabernacle was for their own good as well as to sustain His service.

The Lord could create an abundance of means to carry forward His work without asking His people for any sacrifice, for the gold and the silver are His and all that is possessed, even souls and bodies, are His, but He has never worked that way. He called on all the people to make their freewill offerings, and they all wanted a part in the blessing. So every soul should have a share in the blessing that comes from returning to the Lord that which is His own, and there is a blessing in it for everyone who acts his part.